Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ferris. On the issue of cross-Border criminality, I was part of committee A at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly which reported on cross-Border criminality, and it was eye-opening to say the least. We held many cross-Border meetings. I suppose when there is a border and two jurisdictions, across Europe or across the world, there will always be people taking advantage of different excises and different issues. I think people find it hard to believe that this is still ongoing and that resources have not been put in to tackle these issues. Many people have complained, as I did three years ago when my engine was made unworkable because laundered diesel was put into it. It is an ongoing issue. Yesterday, the Minister for Finance said many people are talking about petrol stretching. In the age-old tradition, most politicians will go to the local radio or the newspapers but will not report it in the proper structured way in which it should be reported. The Minister, Deputy Noonan, said that even though there have been many complaints of fuel stretching, reports have not been made on an official basis. We all hear anecdotal evidence but it needs to be reported in order that we can get a true picture of the situation.

I remember coming back from Belfast after a meeting and I decided to look at the beautiful Bernish viewpoint. Two big white fuel oil tankers came up a small road that was not the width of a table and it was quite obvious that they were not part of a legitimate business. One could drive at 60 miles per hour on any road through south Armagh and one would see the stations. One does not have to be a genius to know this is going on. It is an issue that has been raised often and we know the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, is doing everything possible along with the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Finance.

The committee has discussed the Narrow Water Bridge project. One suggestion that was made was to establish a working group of officials in parallel with the North-South Ministerial Council to help both jurisdictions to work more collaboratively on these projects. Perhaps the same approach could be applied to an interdepartmental group working North and South to address the illegal trading issue this meeting is discussing.

A stocktake review of the 2010 agreement between prisoners in Maghaberry Prison and the Northern Ireland Prison Service was published in 2014. I have been to the prison and met with dissident republicans and there are outstanding issues that need to be resolved. I understand that officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are monitoring the situation in the prison, including progress made on the implementation of these recommendations. Could the Minister update the committee on how much progress has been made on this? Is it his opinion that the prison service is making real and genuine efforts to resolve the outstanding issues that seem to cause so much tension and unrest?

The Stormont House Agreement covers a broad range of political, social, and economic issues and it has the potential to advance significantly its twin aims of reconciliation and economic renewal. There is an elephant in the room in terms of economic renewal. What does the Minister see as the key priorities? In that context, what are his views on a possible exit of the UK from the EU and the potentially serious negative impact that would have on cross-Border trade?

Following the recent British Irish Parliamentary Assembly plenary session in Dublin, politicians from the United Kingdom and the island of Ireland endorsed the bid to host the men's Rugby World Cup in 2023. What are the Minister's views of the importance of this initiative and has he any suggestions on how this committee could support the bid?